FUNCTIONS OF LIPIDS

FUNCTIONS OF LIPIDS
Lipid has three major roles in cells. It
· Provides an important form of energy storage.
· Forms the major component of cell membrane.
· Plays crucial role in cell signaling.
The simplest lipids are fatty acids, which consist of long hydrocarbon chains, consisting 16 or 18 carbon atoms, while carboxyl group ( coo- ) at one end. Unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bond between carbon atoms whereas in saturated fatty acids the carbon atoms are mostly bonded to hydrogen atoms. The long hydrocarbon chain of fatty acids contains more C-H bonds, which are non polar and hydrophobic in nature and which are responsible for the formation of biological membranes. Fatty acids are store in form of triacylglycerols. Triacylglycerols are insoluble in water. They accumulate as fat droplets in cytoplasm of cells of the adipose tissue. During emergency conditions, these fat droplets can be broken down for yielding energy.